Electrons and positrons are produced by the nuclear transformations of protons and neutrons known as beta decay. (a) If a proton transforms into a neutron, is an electron or a positron produced? (b) If a neutron transforms into a proton, is an electron or a positron produced?

Question

Corinne Li

Chemistry

25 February, 09:03

Electrons and positrons are produced by the nuclear transformations of protons and neutrons known as beta decay. (a) If a proton transforms into a neutron, is an electron or a positron produced? (b) If a neutron transforms into a proton, is an electron or a positron produced?

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Nora Sanders · Answer 1

Answer: a) if a proton transforms to a neutron, a positron is produced

B) when an neutron transforms into a proton, an electron is produced

Explanation:

The both are nuclear decay processes which produce a neutrino and tremendous energy. The conversion of protons to neutrons is an energetically difficult process. However, the conversion of neutrons to electrons is commonly called beta decay in nuclear physics.